Device and method for storing baby bottles, bottle nipples, lids and powdered baby formula

ABSTRACT

A method and device for storing and dispensing a powdered baby formula, and for storing baby bottles thereon. The device has a frame; supporting means mounted to the frame for supporting at least one baby bottle thereon; means integral to the powdered baby formula container for dispensing a predefined amount of such a powdered baby formula. The device further includes a first container mounted to the frame for containing small articles such that the first container includes a screened bottom to allow drainage to flow out of the first container. The device further includes a drip tray disposed beneath the first container to capture fluid dripping from the screened bottom. In a preferred embodiment, the device has means for dispensing baby bottle liners attached to said device. In another embodiment, the device has at least one pole attached to said device adapted to hold baby bottle rings.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to storage and dispensing devices that store baby bottles, nipples, and lids and dispenses powdered formula.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An ever-increasing percentage of mothers have supplemented or replaced breast-feeding with bottle-feeding for their babies. In response to more working mothers and changes in society, more and more fathers have taken an active roll in feeding their babies, further popularizing bottle feeding. Bottle-feeding demands that bottles, nipples, lids, and formula be readily available when the child is hungry and cries. The baby's cries of hunger often come at the most inopportune times such as when there are no full bottles available. At such times, the frazzled parent is required to quickly locate a bottle and a nipple, and place formula in the bottle while attempting to deal with the crying child. This is especially difficult if the parent has just been awaken from a deep sleep or is trying to accomplish this in the dark.

Formula is available as a liquid or powder. The liquid, although more convenient, is much more expensive than the powdered type. The powdered formula is typically dehydrated liquid formula, is measured to obtain the desired amount and then mixed with water resulting liquid formula. The powdered formula, the measuring tool, the bottles and nipples all require storage. The storage of these items, however, is often in separate locations making access to the storage difficult during both day and night feedings. A need therefore exists for a device, which can conveniently store baby bottles, nipples, lids measuring tools and powdered formula in one accessible location.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention fills this need by providing for a device for storing basically everything needed for quickly preparing a baby bottle with formula. This includes a container for storing and dispensing powdered baby formula, rods extending from a frame for storing baby bottles, a container for storing small items like nipples, smaller rods extending from the frame to hang baby bottle rings, and a dispenser containing baby bottle liners. In a preferred embodiment, the powdered formula dispenser has a means for dispensing a predefined amount of the powdered baby formula. Also, the container that holds the small items such as bottle nipples, has a porous bottom, such as a screen, to allow water to drip down to a drip tray. The drip tray is beneath the container to capture fluid dripping from the screened bottom. Preferably, the drip tray extends along the length of the device to capture moisture dripping from drying bottles and rings.

In a preferred embodiment, the container that dispenses the powdered formula has a plunger slidable seated within a sleeve and the sleeve is positioned below the container. The container has a structure forming a tunnel through the plunger, a structure forming a first opening in a bottom of the container, the first opening positioned to line up with the tunnel when the plunger is in a first position within the sleeve; and a second opening positioned on the sleeve below the plunger, the second opening positioned to line up with the tunnel when the plunger is in a second position within the sleeve, such a predetermined amount of powdered baby formula within the container will flow out of the first opening and into the tunnel when the plunger is in the first position, and said powdered baby formula will flow out of the tunnel and through the second opening when the plunger is in the second position.

The present invention is further comprised of a method for preparing filling a baby bottle with liquid baby formula using a baby bottle storage/powdered baby formula storage and dispensing unit of the present invention. One takes a bottle that is being stored on a bottle storing means extending from a frame of of the unit. The bottle is placed in fluid contact with an opening of a container that stores powdered formula and a plunger is engaged at a first position that allows powdered formula to flow out of the container through an opening in the container and into a tunnel within the plunger. The plunger is then engaged into a second position and the tunnel is lined up with a second opening beneath the first opening that allows the predetermined amount of powdered formula to flow through the tunnel through the second opening out of the container into the baby bottled positioned beneath the second opening. One then adds liquid, preferably water, to the bottle and mixes the liquid and the powdered formula together. A nipple and a bottle ring, which are also stored on or in said unit are secured onto the bottle allowing a child to drink liquid formula from the bottle. In an alternative embodiment, water could also be added to the bottle prior to the powdered formula being dispensed into the bottle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the baby bottle and formula storage and dispensing device.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the device.

FIG. 3 is a front elevated view of the device.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the device, showing the drip tray and the first container.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the device, showing the drip tray and the first container.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the device, showing a cover hinged to the first container.

FIG. 7A is a partial cross-sectional view of the device taken along 7 a-7 a of FIG. 2 showing the plunger in a fill position.

FIG. 7B is a partial cross-sectional view of the device taken along line 7 b-7 b of FIG. 2 showing the plunger in a dispensing position.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the device taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 1 showing the plunger.

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective cut-away view of the device, showing a bottle-brush holder attached to the first container.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the nipple holder of the alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 through 4 show a baby bottle and formula storage and dispensing device. The device is preferably constructed from a polymeric or plastic material and includes a frame 12. The frame 12 has a plurality of mounting holes 14 extending there-through such that the device can be mounted to a surface, for example a kitchen cabinet. Bottle support poles 17 extend outward from a central portion of frame 12 adapted for supporting bottles 90 thereon. The support poles 17 pitch downward toward the frame to enhance support and drainage of the bottles 90.

Mounted at one end of the frame 12 and adjacent to the central portion of frame 12 is a first container 16 for storing nipples 80 therein. Although the first container 16 is shown having only nipples 80 therein, it is contemplated that other items such as bottle lids and nipple rings can be stored as well. A first cover 18 having a first tab 19 is attached to the first container 16 by a first hinge 20 (FIG. 6). The first tab 19 is provided to facilitate the raising and lowering of the first cover 18 by the user and permit access to the interior of the first container 16.

Referring to FIG. 1 in conjunction with FIG. 5, a drip tray 21 extending from a rear wall 25 is removably attached to the first container 16. Rear wall 25 extending downwardly from storage container 16 has a notched portion 23 dimensioned to slide within a corresponding channel 24 formed in the bottom of the first container 16 and to permit the drip tray 21 to be detached from the first container 16 for emptying and washing. Drip tray 21 extends is substantially within a horizontal plane and extends underneath storage container 16, and frame 12. In use, it is envisioned that the user will place recently washed nipples 80 into the first container 16 for drying and storage. Runoff from the nipples 80 will drip out through a screen 44 (FIG. 9) in the bottom of the first container 16 and be collected within the drip tray 21, which is positioned there below. The drip tray 21 is positioned to also collect runoff from the bottles 90 supported on the support poles 17. After collecting runoff, the drip tray 21 can then be slid off of the first container 16, emptied, and slid back onto the first container 16 as described above.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, a powdered formula container 26 is mounted to the other end of the frame 12 and defines an internal space for storing powdered formula therein. A second cover 28 having a second tab 29 is attached to the powdered formula container 26 by a second hinge (not shown). The second hinge is similar in configuration and operation to the first hinge 20. The second tab 29, similar to first tab 19 is provided to facilitate the raising and lowering of the second cover 28 by the user and permit access to the interior of the powdered formula container 26.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A, 7B and 8 in conjunction with FIG. 1, a plunger 30 is shown slidably seated within a sleeve 34. The sleeve 34 fits closely around the plunger 30 and is integral with and positioned below the powdered formula 26. The plunger 30 is substantially rectangular box-shaped and includes a button 30A projecting outward from a front side 30B thereof. The button 30A protrudes outward through the sleeve 34. A spring, 32, is mounted between a backside 30C, of the plunger, 30, against a front wall, 34B, of the sleeve 34.

The powdered formula container 26 includes a curved bottom 48 with structure forming a bottom opening 50 at the low point of the curved bottom 48. The plunger 30 includes a structure forming a tunnel 36 there through. When the plunger 30 is urged against the front wall 34B, the tunnel 36 lines up with the bottom opening 50, allowing a predefined amount of powdered formula to exit the powdered formula container 26 and enter the tunnel 36.

A spout 38 is positioned on the sleeve 34 and beneath the plunger 30. When the button 30A is pressed, the plunger 30 moves towards the back wall 34A and the spring 32 compresses, until the tunnel 36 lines up with the spout 38, allowing the powdered formula to exit the tunnel 36 and to flow through the spout 38. It is envisioned that the user will place the baby bottle 90 beneath the spout 38 and then press and release the plunger 30, thereby releasing powdered formula from the powdered formula container 26, into the tunnel 36, then out through the spout 38 and into the baby bottle 90.

The tunnel 36 is shown curved, but other shapes are possible, including a straight cylindrical or rectangular shape.

Referring to FIG. 9, the screen 44 can be seen through the cut-away view of the first container 16. A clip 40 is mounted to the side of the first container 16 for holding a bottlebrush 46. The storage device is configured and dimensioned to be usable with a variety of pre-manufactured bottles 90, nipples 80, and bottlebrushes 46.

FIG. 10 shows and another embodiment of the present invention. The primary differences between this embodiment and the one depicted in FIGS. 1-9 include the following changes. The formula dispenser 26 is bottle-shaped and attached to the formula dispenser is a bottle liner dispenser 92 into which baby bottle liners 94 are inserted and can be removed one. A round lid 102 is present to snap onto the top of formula dispenser 26. A liner 94 can be inserted into a bottle 90 prior to formula or milk being placed into the bottle 90. Nipple holder 16 has a bottom 96, which is a screen to allow drainage of any liquid from the nipple holder to drip tray 21. Wall 25 of drip tray 21 has a plurality of poles 98 extending from wall 25 under screen 96 each pole being adapted for supporting bottle rings 100, which can be hung for storage.

While the above-described embodiment of the present invention contains many specifics, the description should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of the invention.

Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiment illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 

1. A device for storing and dispensing a powdered baby formula, and for storing baby bottles thereon, comprising: a frame; supporting means mounted to the frame for supporting at least one baby bottle thereon; dispensing means integral to the frame for dispensing a powdered baby formula; a container mounted to the frame for containing small articles having a porous bottom and a drip tray disposed beneath at least the first container.
 2. The device of claim 1 further comprised of baby bottle liner dispensing means.
 3. The device of claim 1 further comprised of holding means to hold baby bottle rings.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the powder baby formula dispensing means is able to dispense a predetermined amount of baby formula.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein the drip tray extends beneath the baby bottle support means.
 6. The device of claim 1 wherein the powdered baby formula dispensing means is a container having a plunger slidable seated with a sleeve, the sleeve positioned below the container; structure forming a tunnel through the plunger; structure forming a first opening in a bottom of the container, the first opening positioned to line up with the tunnel when the plunger is in a first position within the sleeve; and a second opening positioned on the sleeve below the plunger, the second opening positioned to line up with the tunnel when the plunger is in a second position within the sleeve, wherein a predetermined amount of powdered baby formula within the container will flow out of the first opening and into the tunnel when the plunger is in the first position, and said powdered baby formula will flow out of the tunnel and through the second opening when the plunger is in the second position.
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein the dispensing means is further comprised of a lid.
 8. The device of claim 1 wherein the container for storing small articles is further comprised of a lid.
 9. A device for storing and dispensing a powdered baby formula and for storing baby bottles thereon, said device comprising: a frame; at least one bottle support pole extending from the frame, each support pole being adapted for supporting a baby bottle thereon; a dispensing container mounted to the frame for storing and dispensing powdered formula; a storage container mounted to said frame wherein the storage container has a porous bottom; and a drip tray extending beneath the bottom of the storage container.
 10. The device of claim 9 wherein the dispenser for storing and dispensing powdered formula is further comprised of: a plunger slidable seated with a sleeve, the sleeve positioned below the container; structure forming a tunnel through the plunger; structure forming a first opening in a bottom of the container, the first opening positioned to line up with the tunnel when the plunger is in a first position within the sleeve; and a second opening positioned on the sleeve below the plunger, the second opening positioned to line up with the tunnel when the plunger is in a second position within the sleeve, wherein a predetermined amount of powdered baby formula within the container will flow out of the first opening and into the tunnel when the plunger is in the first position, and said powdered baby formula will flow out of the tunnel and through the second opening when the plunger is in the second position.
 11. The device of claim 9 further comprised of means to dispense baby bottle liners integral to said device.
 12. The device of claim 9 further comprised of means to hold baby bottle rings attached to said device.
 13. The device of claim 9 wherein the container for storing and dispensing powdered baby formula is further comprised of a lid.
 14. A method for preparing filling a baby bottle with liquid baby formula comprising: taking a bottle that is being stored on a bottle storing means extending from a frame of an integrated baby bottle storage/powdered baby formula dispensing unit; placing the bottle in contact with a first container that stores powdered formula wherein said powdered is integral to said frame; engaging a dispensing means integral to the first container that stores the powdered formula allowing powdered formula to flow into the bottle; adding a liquid to said bottle such that the powdered formula mixes with the liquid producing a liquid formula; and removing a nipple and a bottle ring stored on or in said unit and securing them onto the bottle so as to allow a child to drink said liquid formula.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the liquid is placed into the bottle prior to the powdered baby formula.
 16. The method of claim 14 wherein a bottle liner is first removed from a bottle liner dispenser integral to said unit and said liner is placed in the bottle prior to dispensing the powdered formula into the bottle.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein the liquid is placed into the bottle prior to the powdered baby formula is dispensed into the bottle.
 18. The method of claim 14 wherein the bottle is stored on and removed from a pole extending from the frame of said unit.
 19. The method of claim 14 wherein the baby bottle nipples are stored in a second container integral to the frame of the unit, wherein said second container has a porous bottom allowing liquid to flow out of the container.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein the second container is further comprised of a lid.
 21. The method of claim 19 wherein liquid flowing from the second container is collected onto a drip tray integral to the frame of the unit.
 22. The method of claim 20 wherein the drip tray extends beneath one or more bottles being stored on poles extending from the frame of the unit.
 23. The method of claim 14 wherein the powdered baby formula is dispensed from the first container by engaging a plunger slidably seated with a sleeve, wherein the sleeve positioned is below the container such that the powdered formula flows through a tunnel within the plunger into a first opening at the bottom of the container, the first opening being positioned to line up with the tunnel when the plunger is in a first position within the sleeve allowing formula to enter into the tunnel of the plunge; and engaging the plunger at a second position so as to line up the tunnel at a second opening allowing a predetermined amount of the powdered baby formula contained within the tunnel of the plunger to flow out of the second opening and out of the container into a bottle placed beneath the second opening. 